British man ‘prepared to sabotage UK drone factory for Russia’

A British national was prepared to sabotage a drone factory in the UK on behalf of Russia’s intelligence services, a court has heard.

Joshua Cammidge, 31, allegedly researched four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon in addition to a wifi jamming device and carried out reconnaissance.

He is accused of communicating with and receiving instructions from an individual believed to be linked to the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia’s intelligence services.

The charges state that between 27 March and 5 September this year, Mr Cammidge provided the individual Google Maps screenshots showing the addresses of four drone manufacturing sites in Swindon and gave details on the activity at one particular factory.

Mr Cammidge appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday wearing a prison-issue tracksuit and was remanded in custody.

He has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and intending to commit or engage in conduct to prepare an act of sabotage.

He did not enter a plea during the hearing and the case was sent to the Old Bailey on 25 September.

Mr Cammidge, of Galsworthy Close, Swindon, was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing London officers, supported by officers from Wiltshire Police, at an address in Swindon last Friday, the Metropolitan Police said.

He was taken to a London police station and searches were carried out at a different address in Swindon.

The next day, Mr Cammidge was further arrested and detained under the National Security Act 2023, on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Following confirmation of Mr Cammidge’s arrest, Security Minister Dan Jarvis said on Wednesday: “The police have taken action against a potential threat, and I thank them for the vital work they do every day to keep us safe.

“Whilst it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specifics of this case, I know people will be concerned about recent incidents across Europe, intended to sow fear, create disruption and undermine support for Ukraine. They will not succeed.

“We’ll continue to take whatever action is necessary to defend against the range of threats we face from Russia. Anyone attempting to undermine our security will feel the full force of the law.”

In July, the Government formally designated the GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, making it a criminal offence to express support for the group.

The GRU is sanctioned in its entirety by the UK, and hackers linked to the agency have been blamed for cyberattacks in Britain.

A GRU squad is believed to be behind the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.